How Twitter reacted to Tottenham being linked with the next Andres Iniesta

Few Tottenham fans may have been aware of Barcelona starlet Riqui Puig a little over 24 hours ago, but now he is the name on many Spurs fans’ lips.

Spanish newspaper SPORT say that the London club are in pole position to seal a deal for the teenager when his contract expires this summer, with Mauricio Pochettino among his chief admirers at the club.

An attacking minded playmaker in central midfield, Puig has been compared to Andres Iniesta and Philippe Coutinho for his ability to transition play from defence to attack.

(Photo by Monika Majer/Getty Images)

As soon as news of Tottenham’s reported interest broke, fans took to Twitter to express their lack of knowledge of his skills or, alternatively, show off what they did know.

Perhaps unsurprisingly as one of La Masia’s top talents, Barcelona fans also reacted to the news with outrage and fury at what they perceived to be mismanagement of one of the brightest talents to come through the ranks at Camp Nou in a decade.

He may be young and lack the huge transfer fee of other players being linked with the Lilywhites this summer, but Puig has certainly got Tottenham fans excited.

Riqui Puig WHAT A PLAYER. Been following him since he was 8 years old and i'm absolutely delighted we're being linked with him. He's the new Andrés Iniesta, the boy has insane technical ability pic.twitter.com/55d912W6gp

As for what he's like, on the admittedly limited times I've watched him, there's an air of Iniesta about him. Physically he's a little weak – remember the kid is still only 18 – but is (naturally) fantastic on the ball, dictates the tempo and can link midfield to attack.

Riqui Puig is very close to join Tottenham Hotspur. That's honestly quite an achievement for this board. We know how incompetent the board is and things could've much worse like him joining Real Madrid. We seriously are about to offload our wisest decision maker in La Masia.

My heart can't take this anymore.Mboula and Gomez were very special wingers.Navarro was nicknamed ' Spanish Ronaldinho' due to his creative playmaking.Pablo Moreno is La Masia's all time top scorer.Riqui Puig is without a single doubt the best and most mature in La Masia.

Sam is a football journalist focusing on English football at all levels and Spanish football. He also writes for Spain's biggest daily sports newspaper, MARCA, as well as The Boot Room. Find Sam on Twitter at @samleveridge.

Tottenham Hotspur should have swooped for Luciano Vietto this summer

Fulham pulled off something of a coup on transfer deadline day. The Cottagers snapped up Argentine talent Luciano Vietto on loan from Atletico Madrid for the season. It was a great piece of business from the club, considering the talent the 24-year-old striker possesses.

But one other London club should have been in for the player. Tottenham Hotspur needed striking reinforcements this summer. With Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen both unable to provide adequate cover for Harry Kane, it is an area Tottenham struggle.

A move for Anthony Martial was mooted early on, but nothing ever came to pass.

(Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC)

Vietto could have been a perfect option. With only Llorente for competition, he could have easily become the main back-up to Kane. Mauricio Pochettino is on good terms with his former international team-mate and Atletico manager Diego Simeone, so convincing them of a deal would not have been hard.

Vietto could have arrived on a loan-to-buy scheme, giving Tottenham the chance to sign him next summer should he be a hit.

Whilst many will question whether Vietto would have been good enough for Spurs, his past form indicates he could have done a job. His tally of five goals for Valencia last season is nothing to celebrate. However, his 10 as the back-up at Sevilla the season before and his incredible 2015-16 with former club Villarreal show he just needs a chance to shine.

Fulham may now give him that and, Vietto will hope to prove his worth. Tottenham, however, should have been in the race. If he goes on to thrive in West London, some fans will rightly ask why Spurs did not make a move.

Tottenham Hotspur looked certain to lose Danny Rose this summer. The England international’s position at the club has become troublesome of late, after his criticism of the club last summer. However, since then, injuries have put Rose back and in his absence, a former scapegoat found his feet.

Welshman Ben Davies was often pilloried by the Tottenham public for some bad form prior to Rose’s injury. But last season Davies was in sensational form. A threat going forward as well as defensively, his tireless work-rate and professionalism left Rose chasing shadows once fit.

Rose was recently linked with Schalke 04 and PSG, as reported by The Sun, as Davies continues as number one choice.

However, Tottenham must be starting to consider giving Rose another go.

(Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Getty Images)

Davies has struggled for form recently. Pre-season did not go his way and a performance against Girona was particularly bad.

Against Newcastle United, at the weekend he again did not look at his best and some Tottenham fans are now calling for Rose to be reinstated.

Whilst Davies does deserve a chance to continue in the starting XI his form must be a concern for Mauricio Pochettino.

With Tottenham set for yet another busy season, rotation could become key. So allowing rose to go, with the first-choice looking ropey, would seem a big mistake from Tottenham.